House passes bill to avert government shutdown in March

The House on Wednesday approved legislation to avert a government shutdown in a 267-151 vote despite opposition from Democrats who complained that the measure locks in the $85 billion sequester.
Fifty-three Democrats supported the bill, likely because it will help avoid a shutdown. Fourteen Republicans voted against it.
The bill now goes to the Senate, which is expected to make additions to the bill and try to send it back to the House before March 27, when funding for the government runs out. The bill would keep the government running through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.